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Current opinion in pulmonary medicine
Oct 17, 2024;

Household air pollution and respiratory health in Africa: persistent risk and unchanged health burdens.

Nkosana Jafta, Busisiwe Shezi, Minenhle Buthelezi, Shamiso Muteti-Fana, Rajen N Naidoo
Author Information
  1. Nkosana Jafta: Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  2. Busisiwe Shezi: Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  3. Minenhle Buthelezi: Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  4. Shamiso Muteti-Fana: Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
  5. Rajen N Naidoo: Discipline of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
PMID: 39410863 DOI: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000001126

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite evidence emerging from the Global Burden of Disease studies that biomass use and household air pollution are declining globally, with important positive health impacts for households in low- and middle-income countries, these trends have not been equally documented in African countries. This review describes the state of household air pollution exposure and its relationship with respiratory disease in Africa.
RECENT FINDINGS: African studies on this topic are limited, and generally focus on respiratory infections. Most evidence emerge from models based on the Global Burden of Disease data, and from limited individual epidemiological studies across the continent. More than 80% of the African population is exposed to household air pollution. Women and children continue to bear the substantial burden of exposure. Evidence from limited exposure-response studies strongly points to household air pollution being the major driver of acute and chronic respiratory diseases on the continent.
SUMMARY: Respiratory infections, particularly in children, and other chronic respiratory diseases, are strongly attributable to household air pollution. Elimination of such exposures through interventions such as cleaner fuels and preferably, electricity, is critical to improving respiratory health on the continent.

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